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For my STEAM project, I chose to relate my topic to the objective “Describe the function of electrolytes and solutes and their regulation”. My focus is how a specific formulation of magnesium, an electrolyte, could positively impact diseases that are facilitated by abnormalities in TNF-Alpha (Tumor necrosis factor alpha.)
For the creative element of my STEAM project, I have chosen to bake a banana cake, based on a recipe on Food.com (J., 2003), and modified it to fit my preferences. Some magnesium is found in fruits and dairy products (Shen et al., 2023), and this cake contains bananas, milk, butter, and cream cheese. I decided to etch into the frosting the compound equation of Magnesium L-threonate, which is the type of magnesium I am focusing on for this project. The compound is C8H14MgO10, according to a compound summary from the PubChem Compound Database published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
What is tumor necrosis factor alpha? According to an article in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences titled The role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in autoimmune disease and current TNF-α inhibitors in therapeutics, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine consisting of 157 amino acids that assists in regulation of inflammatory responses and can play a role in the necrosis of tumors. More recently, TNF-α has been identified as driver of autoimmune diseases (Jang et al., 2021). It binds to specialized receptors and then signals to initiate cell death and inflammation. This is a beneficial and necessary mechanism when directed at pathogens but can be harmful and result in disease when released inappropriately (Jang et al., 2021). Examples of debilitating diseases where the dysfunction of TNF-α plays a role include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (Jang et al., 2021).
According to an article published in Frontiers in Nutrition titled Changes in the urinary proteome of rats after short-term intake of magnesium L-threonate (mgt), magnesium is a crucial mineral for functioning in living organisms and is necessary for myriads of enzymatic reactions within the body. The fourth most abundant mineral in the body, magnesium is necessary for DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, as well as ATP metabolism (Shen et al., 2023). Magnesium deficiency is common in most countries, where processed foods and treated water have led to insufficient intake. Supplementation can be important to assist with this deficiency (Shen et al., 2023). Because of the diverse physiological interplay that involves magnesium, it plays a vital part in preventing and treating disease. Specific diseases linked to low level of magnesium include Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, asthma, ADHD, and migraines, as well as metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension (Shen et al., 2023). A newly discovered magnesium compound called Magnesium L-threonate (MgT) has been shown to increase levels of magnesium in the brain and is retained and absorbed more than other magnesium supplements, due to the smaller molecular size. The authors were able to show changes in the biomarkers of proteins affected by magnesium in the urine of rats after a short duration of treatment with MgT (Shen et al., 2023). An article published in the journal Chron’s & Colitis 360, titled Dietary magnesium intake is inversely associated with ulcerative colitis: A case-control study, was able to describe the association between a diet rich in magnesium and a lower incidence of ulcerative colitis in Iranian adults. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease, and magnesium may have a protective effect against it by interfering with metabolites and enzymes involved in inflammatory pathways (Sadeghi et al., 2024).
In an article published in the journal Neuroscience Bulletin, titled Chronic oral administration of magnesium-l-threonate prevents oxaliplatin-induced memory and emotional deficits by normalization of TNF-α/NF-ΚB signaling in rats, the authors were able to demonstrate the direct link between reduced levels of serum magnesium and the activation of TNF-α, as a result of administration of a medication called oxaliplatin (OXA), leading to memory and emotional deficits in the treated rats. They were also able to show prevention of this negative cascade of events by treating the rats with magnesium L-threonate, which effectively raised the levels of magnesium in the brain, preventing TNF-α activation and the synaptic and behavioral changes normally seen with OXA usage (Zhou et al., 2021).
Perhaps even more encouraging, in an article published in Brain Research Bulletin, titled Magnesium-l-threonate alleviate colonic inflammation in chronic-plus-binge alcohol feeding mice, authors discussed protective effects to the liver and regulation of inflammation and oxidative damage due to alcohol intake, after treatment with magnesium L-threonate (MgT). Not only were the markers of serum TNF-α significantly decreased, but the expression of TNF-α was downregulated after treatment with MgT (Liu et al., 2021).
Finally, as we observe the connection between costly and debilitating diseases due to the over-activation of TNF-α, we also see an emerging array of new research avenues and treatment potentials, through the novel compound, magnesium L-threonate.
References
J., R. (2003, July 24). Recipes. Recipe – Food.com. https://www.food.com/recipe/best-ever-banana-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting-67256
Jang, D.-I., Lee, A.-H., Shin, H.-Y., Song, H.-R., Park, J.-H., Kang, T.-B., Lee, S.-R., & Yang, S.-H. (2021, March 8). The role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in autoimmune disease and current TNF-α inhibitors in therapeutics. International journal of molecular sciences. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7962638/
Liu, C., Cheng, Y., Guo, Y., & Qian, H. (2021, June 16). Magnesium-l-threonate alleviate colonic inflammation and memory impairment in chronic-plus-binge alcohol feeding mice. Brain Research Bulletin. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0361923021001830?via%3Dihub
Sadeghi, O., Khademi, Z., Saneei, P., Hassanzadeh-Keshteli, A., Daghaghzadeh, H., Tavakkoli, H., Adibi, P., & Esmaillzadeh, A. (2024, February 21). Dietary magnesium intake is inversely associated with ulcerative colitis: A case-control study. Crohn’s & colitis 360. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10923208
Shen, Z., Yang, M., Wang, H., Liu, Y., & Gao, Y. (2023, December 21). Changes in the urinary proteome of rats after short-term intake of magnesium L-threonate(mgt). Frontiers in nutrition. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10768015/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Magnesium L-threonate. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Magnesium-L-threonate
Zhou, X., Huang, Z., Zhang, J., Chen, J.-L., Yao, P.-W., Mai, C.-L., Mai, J.-Z., Zhang, H., & Liu, X.-G. (2021, January). Chronic oral administration of magnesium-l-threonate prevents oxaliplatin-induced memory and emotional deficits by normalization of TNF-α/NF-ΚB signaling in rats. Neuroscience bulletin. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7811972/
Sheila’s STEAM project explores the biological function of electrolytes—specifically magnesium—and their role in regulating inflammation through the cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α). Her focus is on magnesium L-threonate (MgT), a highly absorbable form of magnesium that has shown promising effects in reducing TNF-α activity, which is linked to several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Shelia researched how MgT may help modulate immune responses and prevent damage caused by overactivation of TNF-α, offering a potential dietary or therapeutic intervention for chronic conditions. To creatively express her topic, Sheila baked a banana cake using ingredients naturally rich in magnesium, such as bananas, milk, butter, and cream cheese. She etched the chemical formula of magnesium L-threonate, C₈H₁₄MgO₁₀, into the frosting to symbolically connect her culinary creation with her scientific research. Through this project, she demonstrated how nutrition and biochemistry intersect, showing how something as simple as a dietary change can influence health on a cellular level. From Sheila’s project, I learned about the importance of magnesium in numerous bodily processes, including DNA and protein synthesis, enzyme function, and immune regulation. I also discovered how a magnesium deficiency is common and can contribute to serious diseases, and how MgT, in particular, is being studied for its ability to increase brain magnesium levels and reduce inflammation. Her project effectively combines science, creativity, and real-world relevance, helping to deepen my understanding of electrolyte regulation and disease prevention.